So, basically, the fact that both films are filled with archetypal martial arts movie characters means that one must be derived from the other? Pretty weak argument, especially considering how heavily Star Wars draws on the same martial arts films that Kung Fu Panda does…
Traitorfishon: “So, basically, the fact that both films are filled with archetypal martial arts movie characters means that one must be derived from the other?” No…did you actually read the article? If I am to go from your comment post alone, then I believe the answer to be no.
I’m up for the archetype theory. One plot instrument used hundreds if not thousands of times in literature/film/tv, so everything could be like everything.
Bad vs good after some trouble good wins. Often the bad is a good person turned bad.
The end is different because the bad panda isn’t good underneath or using a respirator.
You could replace kung fu panda is star wars remade with Harry Potter, X-Men, Spidermans, batmans, Bible, etc. etc. etc.
Satan was a fallen Angel, Judas was a friend who took the silver. Therefore they were good gone bad. Jesus was knocked down (tempted by satan, ultimately crucified), but he ultimately won (resurrection/ascension).
Good vs evil after some tribulation. A story at least 2000 years old. More, if you consider the Epic of Gilgamesh, or the Old Testament tribulations (epic of Moses, etc.)
@Scott: No, I read the article, and I’m not convinced. Every point they make refers to a recurring plot element or archetype which is common with martial arts cinema. True, the number of similar elements is higher than you might usually find, but perhaps that just shows the significance of these particular archetypes? After all, many of the key characters and plot points of Star Wars are entirely missing from Kung Fu Panda, making it an amusing coincidence at best.
Too tired to write a decent reply, especially as I haven’t watched Kung Fu Panda. I will say that Lucas was heavily influenced by The Hidden Fortress, and before that Kurosawa was heavily influenced by American Westerns and Shakespeare. Kung Fu Panda probobly drew from some of the same architypes so it’s a stretch to call it a ‘remake’ of Star Wars based on a few similar plot elements.
Like most people I wasn’t surprised by this. The bit that annoys me is that everyone goes on about how this move influenced that movie and they seem to have never read a book in their lives. I mean it’s not like the Luke and Obi Wan thing didn’t look anything like Arthur and Merlin. And then there’s the whole bad guy imprisoned who escapes and kills lots of stuff *coughfenriscough*. But anyway if this stuff interests you then read The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
I find that the basic plotline of star wars is pretty generic, its just the fact that its has had a significant amount of success that makes people compare everything to it.
Okay, I’ll admit it, now it does seem that Kung Fu Panda is very similar to Star Wars. It still different enough in my opinion, thanks to the unfolding and order of events, not to mention the style it’s presented in.
I read the article, and yes it was amusing to not the close similarities in some of the plot points, but that doesn’t equate to Kung Fu Panda being a Star Wars remake. Like some others have said, it’s all about archetypes, which are classic characteristics and behaviors that are seen in characters across cultures, continents, and throughout time. Archetypes appeal to everyone, and everyone can relate to and understand the characters because the characteristics are so recognizable. There’s archetypes for the supporting band of adventurer’s, the hero, the wise old man mentor, the damsel in distress, the companion animal, the trickster, etc. Lots of classic stories will have these characters. Both Kung Fu Panda and the original Star Wars make good use or archetypes, so Kung Fu Panda is not a simple “remake” of Star Wars, it’s just accessing the same classic bank of character types.
dont want to make my geekdom to manifest here however must point out that luke never defeated darth vader… i mean he beat him in a sword fight and cut off his hand i guess to that point you can say he was defeated, however not in the sense that was used in this example….
For pete’s sake ppl. Yes on the Hero’s journey. And yes on another thing.. it isn’t the story, it’s the way it is told. I feel sorry. For all of you. Sigh.
I thought it was funny until I read the comments. Sheesh! I thought I was the only one allowed to ruin Scott’s fun. I no longer feel special. … Anyway, I don’t care if it’s accurate or not. It’s darn funny. We’ve only seen a couple of clips during the holiday shopping rush, but we were already convinced we needed to see it. Now, that’s all the more reason to see it… but I’m still gonna miss the Millennium Falcon versus the asteroids.
Already saw it. Yes, it’s the same story, and probably the same story as Legend of the Drunken Master, and practically every other film about the the Hero’s Journey (thanks to “s” for the reference, it had it on the tip of my fingers and couldn’t type it).
Thing is, I don’t care. All I want is an epic saga with ridiculous Kung Fu moves. SW, KFP, KFC (you’d have to know the local KFC manager to get that reference), it’s all good.
I saw this post, and I wondered, how long would it be before someone mentioned the monomyth. It only took three posts, but even the second post said “archetype,” so I’d call it 2 1/2.
The curious thing about the monomyth is that all good stories follow it, no matter how well disguised. The basic stages are: the Unsatisfactory Normal World, the Strange New World, the Road Of Trials, the Journey To The Oracle, the Night Journey, and the Final Arena.
EVERY EPISODE of 1-hour TV dramas, including NCIS, CSI, Star Trek: TNG, The Unit, Law And Order (original and spinoffs), and The Mentalist, to name a few, can be mapped in this way. I can walk in on any given segment, and based on two minutes of events, tell which segment it is.
I recently saw an amateur film at a film festival, which followed the Hero’s Journey up until the final battle, where the hero decided the villains weren’t villains after all, joined them, and the film ended. It felt so WRONG, and it didn’t win the film festival, and that is exactly why.
Wow I wouldve never noticed If it weren’t for that article. Now I have to go watch it over and over to pin point those things out hehe
So, basically, the fact that both films are filled with archetypal martial arts movie characters means that one must be derived from the other? Pretty weak argument, especially considering how heavily Star Wars draws on the same martial arts films that Kung Fu Panda does…
it’s the Monomyth in it’s most basic form. no suprise at all. we see it every day.
Kung Fu Panda 2: Tai Lung strikes back.
Traitorfishon: “So, basically, the fact that both films are filled with archetypal martial arts movie characters means that one must be derived from the other?” No…did you actually read the article? If I am to go from your comment post alone, then I believe the answer to be no.
Sorry, Scott, but I did read the article. It’s because I read it that I’m inclined to believe with Traitorfishon.
And it’s not so much an article as three half-paragraphs copied-and-pasted with words changed to fit another movie.
I’m up for the archetype theory. One plot instrument used hundreds if not thousands of times in literature/film/tv, so everything could be like everything.
Bad vs good after some trouble good wins. Often the bad is a good person turned bad.
The end is different because the bad panda isn’t good underneath or using a respirator.
You could replace kung fu panda is star wars remade with Harry Potter, X-Men, Spidermans, batmans, Bible, etc. etc. etc.
*believe with == agree with.
You know.
Before anyone flames me as a blasphemer…
Satan was a fallen Angel, Judas was a friend who took the silver. Therefore they were good gone bad. Jesus was knocked down (tempted by satan, ultimately crucified), but he ultimately won (resurrection/ascension).
Good vs evil after some tribulation. A story at least 2000 years old. More, if you consider the Epic of Gilgamesh, or the Old Testament tribulations (epic of Moses, etc.)
@mercator, star wars totally copied the Bible!
@Scott: No, I read the article, and I’m not convinced. Every point they make refers to a recurring plot element or archetype which is common with martial arts cinema. True, the number of similar elements is higher than you might usually find, but perhaps that just shows the significance of these particular archetypes? After all, many of the key characters and plot points of Star Wars are entirely missing from Kung Fu Panda, making it an amusing coincidence at best.
Meh. Don’t feel like arguing.
I found Eragon (only saw the movie) to be ridiculously close to Star Wars a New Hope with every plot point.
To clarify, closer than Kung Fu Panda!
Too tired to write a decent reply, especially as I haven’t watched Kung Fu Panda. I will say that Lucas was heavily influenced by The Hidden Fortress, and before that Kurosawa was heavily influenced by American Westerns and Shakespeare. Kung Fu Panda probobly drew from some of the same architypes so it’s a stretch to call it a ‘remake’ of Star Wars based on a few similar plot elements.
Someone in the comments under the article linked this, I thought it was funny.
http://www.inerciasensorial.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/harrypotterscript.jpg
So in the next Kung Fu Panda movie Po will learn that his father is Tai Lung?
Like most people I wasn’t surprised by this. The bit that annoys me is that everyone goes on about how this move influenced that movie and they seem to have never read a book in their lives. I mean it’s not like the Luke and Obi Wan thing didn’t look anything like Arthur and Merlin.
And then there’s the whole bad guy imprisoned who escapes and kills lots of stuff *coughfenriscough*. But anyway if this stuff interests you then read The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
I find that the basic plotline of star wars is pretty generic, its just the fact that its has had a significant amount of success that makes people compare everything to it.
Okay, I’ll admit it, now it does seem that Kung Fu Panda is very similar to Star Wars. It still different enough in my opinion, thanks to the unfolding and order of events, not to mention the style it’s presented in.
I read the article, and yes it was amusing to not the close similarities in some of the plot points, but that doesn’t equate to Kung Fu Panda being a Star Wars remake. Like some others have said, it’s all about archetypes, which are classic characteristics and behaviors that are seen in characters across cultures, continents, and throughout time. Archetypes appeal to everyone, and everyone can relate to and understand the characters because the characteristics are so recognizable. There’s archetypes for the supporting band of adventurer’s, the hero, the wise old man mentor, the damsel in distress, the companion animal, the trickster, etc. Lots of classic stories will have these characters. Both Kung Fu Panda and the original Star Wars make good use or archetypes, so Kung Fu Panda is not a simple “remake” of Star Wars, it’s just accessing the same classic bank of character types.
Life is simple… good vs evil, fallen angel and stuff… anyone interested poke jung stuff…. pure fun and it twist your mind.
Warning: Once you read jung, you never see heroes under the same light anymore :c
dont want to make my geekdom to manifest here however must point out that luke never defeated darth vader… i mean he beat him in a sword fight and cut off his hand i guess to that point you can say he was defeated, however not in the sense that was used in this example….
For pete’s sake ppl. Yes on the Hero’s journey. And yes on another thing.. it isn’t the story, it’s the way it is told. I feel sorry. For all of you. Sigh.
I thought it was funny until I read the comments. Sheesh! I thought I was the only one allowed to ruin Scott’s fun.
I no longer feel special.
…
Anyway, I don’t care if it’s accurate or not. It’s darn funny. We’ve only seen a couple of clips during the holiday shopping rush, but we were already convinced we needed to see it. Now, that’s all the more reason to see it… but I’m still gonna miss the Millennium Falcon versus the asteroids.
Agreed with Eric. Jeez this brightened my day till some of the turd in the punchbowl comments.
THE ARTICLE MADE ME SMILE
Already saw it. Yes, it’s the same story, and probably the same story as Legend of the Drunken Master, and practically every other film about the the Hero’s Journey (thanks to “s” for the reference, it had it on the tip of my fingers and couldn’t type it).
Thing is, I don’t care. All I want is an epic saga with ridiculous Kung Fu moves. SW, KFP, KFC (you’d have to know the local KFC manager to get that reference), it’s all good.
lol guys even if its true that tons of movies have the same archetypes and basic plot points its still funny
if you need proof, go to http://www.tvtropes.org
I saw this post, and I wondered, how long would it be before someone mentioned the monomyth. It only took three posts, but even the second post said “archetype,” so I’d call it 2 1/2.
The curious thing about the monomyth is that all good stories follow it, no matter how well disguised. The basic stages are: the Unsatisfactory Normal World, the Strange New World, the Road Of Trials, the Journey To The Oracle, the Night Journey, and the Final Arena.
EVERY EPISODE of 1-hour TV dramas, including NCIS, CSI, Star Trek: TNG, The Unit, Law And Order (original and spinoffs), and The Mentalist, to name a few, can be mapped in this way. I can walk in on any given segment, and based on two minutes of events, tell which segment it is.
I recently saw an amateur film at a film festival, which followed the Hero’s Journey up until the final battle, where the hero decided the villains weren’t villains after all, joined them, and the film ended. It felt so WRONG, and it didn’t win the film festival, and that is exactly why.
That was dumb it follows simple martial arts movie archetypes.